One more note related to the holidays: I'm hoping that some of you will join me in sending cards to Francis Horst, to cheer him up while he spends the holidays in the hospital.
Folks on this list who live in the area around The Gables B&B at 46th & Chester are probably familiar with Francis. He's the guy who goes out from the Gables almost every day, with a trash can on wheels, to pick up litter on 45th & 46th Sts., Regent St., Springfield & Chester Ave., and other blocks around the Gables. He does a great job, and our blocks are usually litter-free! Francis concentrates so deeply on his work that he's not likely to respond in a friendly way if you try to strike up a conversation with him while he's working. But at other times, he enjoys visiting, chatting and being a part of things going on at the Gables. He has no family to speak of, and he has health issues. Don Caskey & Warren Cederholm at the Gables are very good friends to him, including him in many of their gatherings with friends & family. You may have noticed an unusual build-up of litter off and on in the past month. Unfortunately, Francis has been in and out of the hospital with a variety of complications. And he just found out this week that he must remain in the hospital through next week - so he is not going to be able to celebrate Christmas or New Year's with Don & Warren, who would have been taking him upstate with them today to spend the holidays with their families. He's very down about this, and also very concerned about his health problems. If you know him, or even if you don't, would you consider sending him a holiday or "get well" card? He would be THRILLED to get a bunch of cards; it doesn't matter if he doesn't recognize your name! Here's the address: Francis Horst Friends Hospital Tuke West 2 4641 Roosevelt Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19124 Thanks, and happy holidays! Melani Lamond -- Melani Lamond, Associate Broker Urban & Bye, Realtor PA License Number AB048377L 3529 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104 cell phone 215-356-7266 - office phone 215-222-4800 #113